Rising Stars: Meet Jasmin Sturla

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmin Sturla.

Hi Jasmin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I feel so honored to even have the opportunity to share my story! Thank you for reaching out and selecting me. Since I could hold a pencil, I always expressed an interest in being creative. I would draw everywhere I could. I was born and lived in England as a child and was always inspired by my grandma, who is an incredible seamstress and watercolor painter. Fast forward to moving to the states with my family, I still always found a way to stay creative and artistic. I took every single type of art and sewing class I could in school.

My high school didn’t offer enough apparel development classes, so I even took one twice! It was never difficult knowing what I wanted to do – I count myself as one of the lucky ones! My parents also really supported me and believed in me. I knew I wanted to design products in the fashion industry. It was the perfect combination of art through fashion and function. Combining the analytical side of my brain with the creative side!

I went on to earn my Bachelor of Science in Apparel Product Design and a minor in Entrepreneurship at UNC-Greensboro. I knew I’d end up having a business of my own someday, so I wanted to make sure I learned some of the business sides so I could apply that knowledge when the time came.

After four internships (both during school and after), I finally landed a job designing and developing socks for Saucony, Nautica, Dockers, and Dickies at a company in Winston-Salem. I then found another opportunity in Raleigh-Durham where I was able to lead a variety of sock categories and bring my product development knowledge to the team as a designer. I bid for programs and worked with accounts such as Tractor Supply, Journeys, Famous Footwear, Shoe Carnival, and DSW. During my last year there, I worked as the sole designer and developer for the high-performance running sock brand, Balega. This was about 10 years of experience designing! I am thankful I had inspiring mentors along the way (shout out to Song-Anh Nguyen and Jen Schreiber!)

This year I took the leap and branched off on my own to see where it takes me. I started a creative service business, Sturla Studios LLC. My design and art skills have such a large scope, that I am able to offer a variety of services. Apparel graphic design, logo design, illustration, hosiery consultation, art commissions, and more! Through this business, I am also the main artist for Mythic Brewing. I am so excited and inspired to see what the future holds!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I am extremely thankful that I knew what I wanted my career to be, I wouldn’t say it has been a completely smooth road. Finding a job out of college was tough. Everyone wanted to hire an entry-level designer, but they had to have three years of experience! I probably applied to 50 jobs before I finally reached out to a connection from college who had an opportunity for me in NC. It can be discouraging to be rejected, but that’s all part of the growth and your pathway.

More recently, I’d say my biggest struggle was knowing when was the right time to step away from my job and start my own business. I absolutely loved what I did, but I was feeling unfulfilled creatively and less valued when some drastic restructuring in management occurred. This left my career pathway very uncertain and not necessarily what I was promised initially.

I had been preparing for a long time to be ready to start a new pathway for myself when the time was right, so I had to make a decision. It’s so important to know what you’re worth and values your mental health.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to call myself a “digital designer and artist.” My passion is for designing products to bring to life so consumers and the like can enjoy them, and digital artwork – from apparel to beer cans! I think that’s what sets me apart. When I say I offer “creative services” – I truly mean almost all creative services. I can design something like a logo for a realty company, but also create wild and trendy illustrations on a photograph or t-shirt, then the next week paint a mural for a studio or retail space.

I am inspired by everything around me and will put full passion into a client’s project. This is truly what I love to do and I think (and hope!) that comes across in my artwork and designs. I also love collaborating with other creatives. Some of our best concepts and creations come from working with others. I’m really proud of how far I have come in my journey, but of course, I still have a long way to go. The key to staying inspired is to never stop learning and growing.

What’s next?
I’d love to continue to grow my business, Sturla Studios. This has been the biggest change for me in my life recently, so I’m really excited to see where this takes me in my career. Stepping away from a “stable” career this year was a huge decision, but so far I am feeling inspired and hopeful.

I’m planning to put myself out there even more, and really elevate my designs and artwork as much as possible. I’d love to make more connections locally and do more collaborations with other creatives! I have some really exciting projects in the works that I can’t wait to share.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/sturlastudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SturlaStudios
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sturlastudios

Image Credits
@balega_international, Jessica Bratton @JQBrattonPhoto, Model/Makeup – @MadisonRexrode, and Mythic Brewing – @Mythic_Brewing